Egypt has condemned the double car-bombing attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday that left up to 45 people dead.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Egyptian foreign ministry offered the support and condolences of the Egyptian government and people to those of Somalia.

The ministry added that such terrorist attacks would not stop Somalia fighting terrorism and rebuilding state institutions.

On Friday, a car-bomb blast occurred near Somalia's intelligence headquarters in Mogadishu, followed minutes later by another car bomb at a checkpoint about 300 metres from Somalia’s presidential palace.

The Al-Shabab Islamist militant group claimed responsibility in a statement posted online, saying it was targeting the government and security services.